Author's Note: I do not own Teen Wolf or its characters. This is set in an alternate universe.


Pink Lemonade Cupcake

Two weeks before the fourth of July, Derek found Sheriff Stilinski on his doorstep. He wasn't entirely sure what to make of that. The man was in uniform, but he was also smiling, so Derek probably wasn't in trouble.

"Sheriff?"

"Derek. Just the person I was looking for."

"Oh?" Derek still wasn't sure that he wasn't in trouble.

"You're not in trouble. It's just Stiles mentioned you bake cupcakes, and the sheriff's department is having its annual Fourth of July Barbeque, and unfortunately, Mr. Monroe, who normally provides our dessert, broke is hip last week. I was hoping that you would be able to make dessert for us. We'd need enough for about two hundred people, and of course, we'll pay for your baking supplies."

Derek blinked and did some quick mental calculations. "Sure. I think I can manage that. Should I just keep the receipts and turn them in when I'm done?"

The sheriff grinned. "Yes. I'll need them by eleven on the fourth. The barbeque is at Nash Park."
Derek nodded and took the hand that Sheriff Stilinski held out to shake. "All right. I'll see you then."

He then went back into the kitchen and stared at the oven. He had just agreed to make enough cupcakes for two hundred people. Figuring that each person had two cupcakes, that was four hundred cupcakes he needed to make. His recipe made about twenty-four cupcakes, so that meant about seventeen batches of cupcakes that he needed to bake. Derek let out sigh. He was going to be spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

He got mixed reactions when he told his family what he'd agreed to. Laura and Uncle Peter thought he was crazy. His mom was pleased but a bit concerned about the amount of responsibility he had taken on. Cora wanted to know if she could have any of the extra cupcakes if there were any, and his dad was just pleased.

"I knew we'd turn you into a chef."

Derek got to work making lists of things he'd need and checking to see what he had at home. He had four sets of cupcake tins that each held twelve cupcakes, so technically he could bake forty-eight cupcakes at a time, but the problem was, he could only double the size of a batch of batter given the size of the mixer he had. He was also going to have to figure out a good way of transporting all of the cupcakes. He didn't have enough Tupperware for four hundred cupcakes.

He was also going to have to bake the cupcakes over several days. There was no way he could make seventeen batches of cupcakes in one day. Plus other people needed to use the kitchen too. So two days before the fourth of July, Derek got to work. He quickly feel into the rhythm of mixing, scooping, and cleaning. He got through about eight batches that day, carefully storing them in the freezer out in the garage. The next day he was back at it.

His family members drifted in and out of the kitchen throughout the day. Laura ended up helping him for an hour or so, scooping batter into tins and washing dishes. His dad popped in for a little while and keep him company with stories of his times working for a catering service. He was up to nearly midnight, but Derek managed to get the rest of the cupcakes done that evening. That just left him to do the frosting in the morning.

Making enough pink lemonade frosting for four hundred cupcakes was an interesting endeavor. Thankfully, because it was the same frosting for all of the cupcakes, he didn't have to stop and clean the pastry bag between batches. Even so, Derek had everything frosted and ready to go with plenty of time to spare. The most nerve-wracking part was actually packing up the cupcakes and figuring out who to secure them in his car. Derek was pretty sure that it was the slowest he every drove with every stop sign and stoplight bringing the terror that he'd somehow ruined the cupcakes.

All of them arrived at the park in just fine condition, though Derek was stressed until opened the boxes and saw that the cupcakes had survived the trip.

"Hey, Derek!" Stiles was waving at him from his spot besides a grill.

The younger teen ran up to him with a bright grin. "You've got the cupcakes?"

Derek nodded. "Where do you want them?"

"Give me a couple of those boxes, and I'll show you. We've got a table all set up."

He reluctantly handed over one of the boxes of cupcakes to Stiles and followed him over to a card table that had been set up. It even had a couple of those cake stands with the multiple tiers on it for the cupcakes. He directed Stiles to start loading the cupcakes onto the table while he went and go the rest of them.

"I know exactly how many cupcakes were in the boxes, Stiles, and I'll know if any of them are missing," he warned before heading back to his car.

Stiles just pouted at him. By the time Derek had retrieved the rest of the cupcakes and brought them back to the table, Sheriff Stilinski had joined his son, and Derek was pleased to see the man keeping a close eye on the cupcakes. The sheriff looked up and smiled at Derek.

"Derek, these look amazing. I can't thank you enough."

Derek smiled and ducked his head a little. "They're not quite done. Just let me get the garnishes on, and then you'll be good to go."

He pulled out a plastic bag full of lemon slice candies to put on top of the cupcakes. In short order, they were all ready to go. The sheriff clapped him on the shoulder.

"Thanks again, Derek. You can turn your receipts in to Tara, and she'll make sure you get a check."

Derek nodded. Stiles smiled at him. "Do you want to stick around and get a burger? Westfall is working the grill this year, and he makes the best burgers."

He smiled. "Sure."